Cotton-chopper.



M. M. PERKINS.

COTTON CHOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1914.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

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COTTON-CHOPPER;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

Application filed May 19, 1914. Serial No. 839,546.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN M. PERKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alabama City, in the county of Etowah and State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Cotton-Chopper, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cotton choppers, one of its objects being to provide a structure of this character which can be adjusted to different widths and which utilizes a chopping element mounted for oscillation, there being means revoluble with the supporting wheels of the structure whereby the actuation of the chopping element is effected during the forward movement of the machine.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown. In said drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged rear elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the chopper. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable connection between the side beams. Fig. 5 is a detail View of one of the bearings of the chopper shaft. Fig. 6 is a detail view of two of the tappets and a portion of the shaft carrying the same.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates supporting wheels carrying an axle '2 which supports parallel side beams 8. These beams are provided, at their front ends, with draft strips 4 preferably formed of straps of metal, the forward ends of the said straps being extended forwardly as at 5 and adapted to be engaged by a clevis. The side beams 3 are adjustably connected by rods 6 which extend therethrough and have nuts 7 thereon for engaging opposite sides of the beams. By adjusting these nuts on the rods, which rods are screw threaded, the beams 3 can be adjusted toward or from each other as desired. Secured to each of the beams 3 is an apertured cross strip 8. These strips are arranged in pairs, the strips of each pair lapping at their inner ends and supporting a bearing member 9 which is bolted to them or secured to them in any other preferred manner. By having the strips lapping as described, they can be adjusted relative to each other during the relative adjustment of the beams 8. The bearing members 9 receive the end portions of a longitudinal shaft 10 and secured to this shaft is a hanger 11 having a series of apertures 12, any one of which is adapted to receive the shaft. A set screw 13 is provided whereby the hanger can be securely fastened to the shaft. Each hanger 11 has downwardly diverging arms 14 and the corresponding arms on the two hangers are connected by blades 15 constituting the choppers per se.

Extending radially from the shaft 10 at a point adjacent the axle 2 are oppositely disposed fingers 16. Cam-shaped tappets 17 are extended radially from the axle 2, these tappets being disposed in pairs, the tappets of each pair being in alinement and disposed at right angles to the tappets of the opposed pair. Furthermore the two pairs of tappets are disposed to engage the respective fingers 16. Thus it will be seen that during the rotation of the axle 2 in one direction, the tappets 17 of one pair will move against and elevate one of the fingers 16, after which a tappet of the other pair will move against and elevate the other finger 16. This operation will be repeated so that during one complete rotation of the axle 2, the hangers 11 will be swung back and forth twice, or, in other words, each blade 15 will have two cutting strokes during one complete rotation of the axle p2.

Ordinary standards 18 may be connected to the front portions of the beams and carry plows of different kinds, as desired, for throwing soil against the plants or for directing it away from the plants. Furthermore, handles 19 may be connected to the rear portions of the beams to facilitate controlling the machine while in operation. As

before pointed out, the beams 3 can be adjusted toward or from each other, thus to adapt the machine to rows of different widths. By having the hangers 11 adjustably mounted, the blades 15 can be brought to any desired positions relative to the surface of the ground. Inasmuch as the strips 4: are flexible to alimited extent, it will be apparent that they will not interfere with the lateral adjustment of the machine.

I radially disposed tappets revoluble with the axle and disposed in pairs, the tappets of each pair being adapted to engage and actuate one finger and the tappets oi the other pair being adapted to engage and actuate the other finger, said tappets engaging the fingers successively.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN M. PERKINS.

lVitnesses r I LEE FREIBAUM, F. A. ARCHER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

